According to Strategy Analytics, video and network upgrades will be the key growth drivers for 3G and 4G data usage by tablet users in India.
With the aim of encouraging the uptake of data services, operators in India are launching innovative data plans. Recently, Bharti Airtel launched a data plan which allows users to access video content for Rs 1. For downloading videos, users need to pay additional charges. 3G and 4G will services will gain traction in India as operators like Aircel, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications, MTS India are in the process of expanding their 3G/enhanced voice-data optimised footprint. Over the next couple of months, Reliance Jio Infocomm is expected to launch its 4G services, thereby increasing the competition in the market.
Strategy Analytics says that globally, markets like United States, China, Japan and United Kingdom will lead markets for 3G and 4G usage on tablets. The mobile broadband subscriptions supported by tablets are expected to grow by eight times from 2012 to 2017. More than 165 million users will activate mobile data services using their tablets. In 2017 mobile tablet subscriptions will contribute nearly $20 billion to operators’ service revenues generating almost 3.5 million terabytes of mobile data traffic. By the end of 2017, 4G will account for more than 80 per cent of the total mobile broadband tablet subscriptions.
